Posted on: Oneida Co. NY Obituaries Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/OneidaObits?read=108 Surname: ------------------------- A Merchant for Nearly Fifty Years, and a Highly Respected Citizen, Who Died Last Night. Sylvanus Hoag of Yorkville, died at his home in that village last evening. He was in his 71st year, and his death was due to an attack of grippe, from which he suffered about one month, and which left him in an enfeebled condition. On Friday he was taken suddenly ill, and Sunday night he died. He retained his consciousness up to the hour of his death. For 48 years Mr. Hoag has been in business in the villages of New York Mills and Yorkville. He was born in Peru, Clinton County, and his parents were Quakers. He cam to New York Mills when 10 years of age, and when a young man he opened a store. His brother was his partner, but the partnership was not of long duration. Later he associated in business with J.J. Hall, and for the last 32 years he conducted the store himself. His place of business, near the Yorkville canal bridge, is one of the landmarks of the village. His wife was Miss Augusta Ford, and his married life was extremely happy. His widow and one daughter, the wife of the Hon. Joseph Ackroyd, and two grandchildren survive. Mr. Hoag was Postmaster oat New York Mills during the administrations of President Pearce and President Buchanan, and performed his duties with a faithfulness characteristic of him. Mr. Hoag was a man of exemplary character and far-reaching influence. In all his dealings he was upright and conscientious. He enjoyed in a marked degree the respect and confidence of his neighbors and customers. In every sense of the work he was a man of integrity. Besides attending to his business duties, Mr Hoag found time to acquire a vast fund of useful information by constant and judicious reading. In regard to the history of the development of this country, few men possessed a more accurate knowledge. The knowledge he brought to bear upon the solution of economic and social problems of the present day, and all his political opinions and beliefs were founded upon convictions well fortified by sound and consistent ideas. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was an enthusiastic tariff reformer. An incident will illustrate his interest in this subject. Last summer Dr. Ira D. Brown, editor of the Cayuga Chief, delivered a lecture on the tariff in the Town Hall in Whitesboro. Hon. L.L. Lowery, of Utica, who was in the audience, replied in support of the theory of protection. There were but a few persons present, and Dr. Brown did not care to proceed to a lengthy discussion, and made only a brief response. Hr. Hoag, 70 years old, had walked from Yorkville to hear the discussion, and he was unwilling to let the statement of Mr. Lowery go unchallenged, and he arose and asked the privilege of saying a few words. In a brief but spirited speech Mr. Hoag made one of the best tariff arguments ever heard in Whitesboro. He quoted from utterances of statesmen, from standard historical works, referred to historical incidents and events taking place under his own observation, wit a freedom, accuracy and fluency that indicated not only the sincerity of his convictions but a well trained mind. He always labored zealously for the success of his party, and was the highest type of an honest partisan. He was once School Commissioner for the First Oneida District, and for many years was Justice of the Peace. Only one brother of Mr. Hoag, Newcome H., of 41 Miller street, Utica, survives. His funeral will take place Thursday, March 17 at 2 p.m.